mastebson



(No Model.) E. P. MASTERSON.

PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING FRAME.

No. 245,851. Patented Aug. 16,1881.

772%7098868. fiweniar: 7777 @(PM Unrren STATES PAT ENT OFFICE.

ELIAS I. MASTERSON, OF PORT JERVIS, NEW YORK.

PHOTQGRAPHIC PRlNTlNG-FRAM E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,851, dated August 16, 1881.

Application filed June 10, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ELIAS PERRY MASTER- soN, of Port Jervis, in the county of Orange and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic Printing-Frames; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it per- I0 tains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in photographic printing-frames; and it consists,

first, in a hinged cover having grooves made along its edges and provided with spring holding-wires, so as to hold the picture in place; second, in movable wedges which are passed through the edges of the frame, and which serve to raise the cover up far enough to break con tact betweenthe negative and the paper and hold the parts thus separated.

Figure l is a vertical section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective of a portion of the cover, showing the spring-clamps for holding the paper to the cover. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the frame, showing the springs for holding the vignette in place, and the screwclamp for holding the negative in place.

A represents the frame, which is of the usual construction, and B the cover, which is made in two parts hinged together. Instead of having this cover entirely separate and distinct from the frame, the cover is here hinged 5 or otherwise attached to the frame at one end, so that the frame will always occupy exactly the same space when closed down upon the negative. Where the cover is made separate from the frame there is always a liability of its 40 moving slightly, in which case the paper will be shifted upon the negative, and thus the image produced will be ruined. By hinging the cover at one end no movement can possibly take place, and thus the picture produced will 5 always be a perfect one.

In order to attach the paper that is to be printed upon to the inner side of the cover a spring-clasp, D, is used at each edge of the cover, as shown. This spring-clasp consists of a bent spring-wire, which is fastened permanently at one edge of the cover, and which has its free end bent, as shown, so as to catch over the outer edge of the cover while holdin g the paper in place. As soon as these ends are forced past the edge of the cover they spring outward sufficiently far to release the paperentirely. In ordertoenablethesesprings to hold the paper in position-in such a manner that it will be impossible to accidentally displace ita groove, E, is out along each side near the edge of the cover, and the springs force the paper down into these grooves. By thus combining the two features of a cover which is hinged to the frame at one end, and spring-clasps which look the paper in position, it will readily be seen that however often the contact may be broken between the negative and the paper the paper will always be returned to exactly the same position under any circumstances.

In order to hold the negative in position the slide F, which is forced forward by the setscrew G, is used. The slide has its ends grooved, so as to catch over suitable guidingcatches iormed on theinner side of the frame, and that part of the slide which comes in contact with the end of the negative is also grooved, so as to catch over its end. When the set-screw is forced forward the slide forces the negative tightly against the frame and holds it there so rigidly that it is impossible for it to be moved until the slide has been loosened, unless the glass is broken.

Passed horizontally through the sides of the frame at different points are the wedge-sh aped 8 5 pins H, which can be forced inward so as to catch just under the edge of the cover and raise the cover upward just far enough to break the contact of the paper and the negative. These pins may be held in position in a number of different ways; but I prefer to make a slot in each pin, then pass a wire or other stop down through the frame, and this slot will serve to prevent the pin being moved too far in either direction. Three pins are here shown, 5 but it is evident that any desired number of them may be used.

In order to secure the vignette to the frame a spring-wire, I, is used upon each edge of the frame, which wires have their outer ends I00 bent so as to catch over suitable projections prepared for them. Wheneverit is desired to fasten a vignette, card, or paper of any kind passed through the frame and made to catch to the frame it is only necessary to place it under the cover so as to raise the paper out of r 5 across the frame and then bear down upon the contact with the negative, substantially as spring-wires in such a manner as to cause their shown. 5 ends to fasten upon the projections. In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein Having thus described my invention I presence of two witnesses. c ann- 1. The combination of the cover, provided ELIAS PERRY MASTERSON. with a groove along its edge, with spring-wires 10 for securing the paper in position, substan- \Vitnesses:

tially as set forth. CHAS. F. VAN INNEGEN,

2. The combination of the frame, the cover, S. L. MAPES. and suitable slotted pins or wedges, which are 

